Retractable writing device



'c. MERRYMAN ETAL 2,896,577

RETRACTABLE WRITING DEVICE July 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 30, 1956 INVENTORS. Cari flerrynzam, BY Jfiloeberi,

July 28, 1959 c. MERRYMAN ET AL 2,

RETRACTABLE WRITING DEVICE Fild Nov. so, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS Qzriflerryman,

- in which the cam has a fixed pivot.

RETRACTABLE WRITlN G DEVICE Carl Merryman, Oak Park, and Frank J. Stoeberl, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Duro-O-Lite Pencil Company, Melrose Park, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application November 30, 1956, Serial No. 625,284 3 Claims. (Cl. ire-42.03)

Theinvention relates to a new and improved retractable writing or marking instrument and more particularly to such a device provided with manually operable means for projecting a writing point from a housing and for retracting the point within the housing.

The present invention relates to the means for projecting and retracting the point and not to the specific construction of the writing instrument or marking device itself. The specific embodiment shown herein comprises a standard type of ball point pen, but it will be understood that the invention may be applied to other forms of writing instruments having points which it may be desired to retract and project.

Ball point pens have a ball in the point whichis continually supplied with ink so that it is necessary either to supply a separate covering cap, as is customary with United States Patent It is an additional object to provide anon-reversible cam action whereby the point is positively held in projected position.

It is also an object to provide such a construction whereby the point is retracted in a mid-position of the cam and extended when the cam is rotated in either direction about its pivot.

It is another object to provide a cam construction in which the cam is positively held against longitudinal movement axially of the instrument whereby accidental projection of the point is avoided. i

A further object is to provide a manually actuated cam construction for projecting and retracting the marking point of a writing instrument and which include a detent for holding the cam in operative position with the marking point projected. i

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds. i

We have shown certain preferred embodiments of our invention in the accompanying drawings, in whicl1 Figure 1 is aside elevation of one form of construction;

fountain pens, or to provide means for retracting the point into the housing when not in use. Otherwise, the point will stain the pocket or other receptacle m which it'is carried. The point does not need to be completely housed, as does a fountain pen, to avoid evaporation of the ink. It should be protected against picking up lint because lint deposits induce capillary pull, and also prevented from staining objects which it may contact.

The use of means for retracting and projecting the point has largely superseded the use of removable caps. Such means are generally more convenient to use and constructions have been developed which may be manufactured commercially at practical costs. Certain forms of such constructions comprise means operated by pressing down on a plunger extending from the top of the device, .such pressures alternately projecting and retracting the point. Such instruments are normally provided with pocket clips and carried by the user in a shirt pocket. It is expected that the user will press the plunger to retract the point before slipping the instrument into the pocket as otherwise the uncovered point will mark a line in the pocket as the device is inserted. The character of the inks normally used is such that a line will spread through the thickness of a shirt pocket and be visible.

With plunger operated devices of the character described the natural tendency is for the user to press down on the plunger, which extends upwardly from the top, when pushing the device into a pocket to force the spring clip over the pocket edge. This inadvertent action often projects a previously retracted point and leaves it unprotected in the pocket where it may move upon movement of the user and make a stain of substantial size. On the other hand, if the point is not retracted until the pocket clip is seated, the point may make a lineon the inside of the pocket as it is inserted. :It is "an object of the present invention to provide a construction for retracting and projecting a marking point comprising a rotatable cam and spring means for holding the marking assembly against the cam.

It is a further object to provide such a construction Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the form of construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, taken at right angles to the section of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross section taken on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross section taken on line 55 of Figure 3; i

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section, similar to the right end of Figure 3, showing a modified form of construction;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section showing the construction of Figure 6 and taken at right angles to Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing a further modified form;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section of the form of construction of Figure 8, taken at right angles to Figure 8; and i L" Figure 10 is a view in elevation of a modified form of cam member.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view, parts being shown in section of another modification wherein the cam member is provided with a detent for latching the writing memher in projected position;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken sub stantially along line 12-42 of Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure ll but showing a latched position of the cam member.

The writing instrument comprises a tubular housing 11 which has a central bore 13 somewhat reduced in area at 15- adjacent the usual tapered writing end of the instrument. Within the housing is slidably fitted the writing member 17 which is shown as a tubular ball point element having the writing ball 19 at its reduced end. This element 17 is of standard construction and comprises a tube filled with ink carrying the writing ball 19fitted in the reduced end 21. These elements are available commercially and the details of the elements themselves form no part of the present invention.

The element 17 is slightly flattened at 23 to provide an abutment for one end of the spring 25, the other end of which fits at 27 in the reduced portion 15 of the internal bore 13. This spring therefore tends to urge the writing member inwardly to the full. line position in which it is shown in Figure 2. g l

, At the right end of the instrument there is provided a rotatable cam member 29 oarried on a. fixed pivot 31. This pivot 31 extends transversely of the axis of the 1 housing and is carried in a supporting member 33 which interfits with another supporting member 35 to form a ball-shaped head 37, as shown in Figure 1. These members 33 and 35 have reduced portions 39 and 41 fitting within an enlarged portion 43 of the bore 13 of the housing 11.. The member 31 is provided with a plurality of lugs 45 interfitting with matching recesses in member 35 to hold the two members in adjusted relation. The members 33 and 35 may be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic. The ball shape makes this end suitable for operating a dial telephone.

The cam member 29 is provided with a central cam area 49, which, as shown in Figure 2, engages the end 51 of the writing member 17 with the member in the retracted position. The end 51 of member 17 is held against the cam by the action of spring 27. The cam member 29 has two similar lateral eam faces 55 which are adapted to engage the end 51 of the writing instrument when the cam member 29 is rotated about its fixed pivot member 31 for approximately 90 degrees in either direction. The distance from the axis of the pivot member 31 to cam faces 55 is sufficiently greater than the distance between the axis of pivot 31 and the central cam area 49 so that this rotational movement of the cam member 29 forces the ballpoint 19 outwardly to the position shown in broken lines in Figure 2. This therefore moves the writing member to writing position.

This movement of the writing member can not be accomplished other than by this rotation of cam member 29. Vertical pressure against the cam number 29 will be resisted by the fixed pivot 31 and hence such pressure ean not force the writing point out unintentionally.

The form of construction shown in Figures 6 and 7 includes a tubular housing 61 having a central longitudinal opening 63 into which the writing member 17 is fitted. The upper end of housing 61 is provided with opposed notches 65 into which is fitted the cam member 67. This member 67 is supported on fixed pivot member 69 which extends through the end of the housing member 61. The cam member 67 is provided with the same cam surfaces as the member 29 and operates in the same manner.

The form of construction shown in Figures 8 and 9 includes a tubular housing member 71 having a central bore 73 into which is slidably fitted the writing member 17 The top end of the housing 71 has an enlarged bore 75 in which is slidably fitted a cam thrust member 77 having a forked portion 79 carrying a cam pin 81. This cam pin 81 fits in a cam slot 83 in the rotary cam member 85. This cam member 85 is carried on a fixed pivot 87 secured in the end of the housing 71. The cam slot 83 is similar in effect to the cam surfaces of the cam member 29 of the form of construction of Figure 2. It has a central portion which, as shown in Figure 8, is close to the axis of pivot pin 87 and has lateral portions 89 which are located at greater distances from the axis of the pivot pin 87. The outer surface of this cam member 85 is preferably knurled for easy manual operation. The cam thrust member 77 is shown as provided with a central recess into which the writing member 17 is fitted. This fit may be a tight push fit so that rotation of the cam member 85 serves to move the member 17 in both directions. In such cases with the tight fit, the member 77 is preferably provided with a cross bore 89 to admit air to the end of the writing member 17 so that air pressure will be present on the ink column therein. Any other meansmay be provided for admitting air at, this. point. This form of construction may also beoperated with merely a loose fit between the member 77 and the Writing member 17. In such cases a spring similar to spring 25 is used and serves to retract the member 17 when the partsare in the position of Figures 8 and 9. Rotating member 85 for approximately 90 degrees in either direction serves to move the member 17 to'writing position. The cam 4 action positively holds it in that position in either of construction, with or without the spring.

All forms of construction preferably comprise a two part barrel or housing 11, the parts being threaded together as shown at 93 on Figure 2. The housing is unscrewed at this point and separated for replacement of the writing member 17 when the ink supply is exhausted.

While the invention has been described in connection with a ball point pen, it will be apparent that it is adaptable for use with other writing and marking instrurnents. The invention itself is independent of the form particular type of writing instrument which is moved to writing or marking position and retracted as desired. The instrument, in its operative or writing position, is positively and rigidly held in such position by the direct abutment of the writing element against cam surfaces which are supported on a rigid fixed pivot. It is impossible to project the writing element accidentally by means of longitudinal pressure on the end of the instrument as such pressure is applied when inserting said instrument in the pocket or the like.

In order to completely overcome the possibility of the accidental projection or retraction of the writing element, a modified form of cam 90, as shown in Figure 10, may be incorporated. This cam is generally similar to the cam 29, best shown in- Figure 2, except that the sides 91 and 92 thereof are tapered inwardly toward the upper, knurled edge 93 of the cam. This in turn gives the cam a configuration such that once it is positioned so that the writing element is projected, the cam can not be displaced even by the accidental dropping of the instrument, or a similar force, which might otherwise cause the writing element to be retracted. Needless to say, the tapered portion need not form the entire side of the cam, as shown in Figure 10, but may be limited to that portion thereof which is adapted to be abutted by the end 51 of the writing instrument.

It will be understood that any of the forms of construction may be provided with usual types of pocket clips for holding them in a pocket.

In the modified form of writing instrument as shown in Figures 11 to 13 inclusive the tubular housing 111, having the central bore 113 extending longitudinally through the same, is provided with a writing member 17 of conventional construction and which embodies the several features of ball point and resilient spring, all as shown and described in connection with Figures 1, 2 and 3. The end of the tubular housing 111 opposite the writing point thereof is formed with a transverse slot 114 and 'in accordance with the invention there is located in said slot a cam member 115, which is rotatable on the fixed pivot 116. The said pivot extends from one side of the tubular housing through and beyond the slot but terminates short of the opposite side of the housing, all as best shown in Figure 12.

The cam member 115 is provided with a central cam surface 117 with which the end 51 of the writing member 17 is adapted to engage for locating the Writing member in retracted position. The curvature of the central cam surface 117 is formed on a relatively large radius and since the surface is located relatively close to the fixed pivot 116, it will be observed that with the cam member 115 in the position of Figure 11, said cam sulface allows the spring 25 to force the writing member 17 into a position whereby'the writing point is retracted. On respective sides of the cam memberthe same is provided with two similar lateral cam faces 118 and 120 and which are disposed with respect to the central cam surface so as to form therewith an angle of slightly greater than 90 degrees. More particularly, the angle'is greater than 90 degrees by the extent of curvature of the central cam surface 117. Also it will be observed that cam faces 118 and 120, respectively, are located at a distance from the pivot axis 116, which is considerably greater than the face.

distance between the pivot axis and the central cam sur- A further feature characterizes each cam face, namely, the provision therein of a latching formation in the form of a detent 121 and which is disposed in the cam face at a location relatively adjacent the meeting edge of the cam face with the central cam surface and which thereby forms the point 123. Thus the said point is located between the detent 121 and the cam surface 117. Each detent provides locking means for holding the cam member in position with the writing member projected, all in a manner as will be more particularly described. For rotating the cam member 115 the projecting end of said member, that is, the end opposite the central cam surface, is provided with a protuberance 122. The protuberance accomplishes the same purpose as the knurled surfaces formed on the cam members, as shown in Figures 2, 6 and 8. In other words, the protuberance facilitates actuation of the cam member by the operator, to cause pivotal movement of the member in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot shaft 116.

In Figure 13 the cam member 115 has been rotated in a counterclockwise direction to eifect a latching between the writing member 17 and the detent 121. Said latching is accomplished by the point 123 of the cam member entering the opening in the end 51 of the writing member. In this operative position of the cam member the writing member is projected so as to locate the ball point 19 outwardly of the housing 11 for writing purposes. The detent 121 will hold the writing member in a projected position and to release the same requires a positive act on the part of the operator. In other words, the operator must release the latch by rotating the cam member to its original position of Figure 11. The present latching structure is therefore unique since the curvature 117 of the cam member in conjunction with the detent 121 provides a point 123 at each side of the cam member for releasable latching engagement with the open end of the writing member.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 378,826, filed September 8, 1953 now abandoned and entitled Retractable Writing Instrument.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as various other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A retractable writing instrument comprising a tubular housing, a writing member slidable in a longitudinal direction within the housing, said member being tubular and being open at one end and having a writing point at the opposite end, said writing point being adapted to extend from the housing into writing position but which may be retracted to within the housing for carrying purposes, said housing having a slot formed in its upper end and which extends transversely of the housing through opposite lateral wall portions thereof, a cam member located in said slot and being rotatably supported on a fixed pivot, said pivot extending transversely of the slot whereby the cam member is rotatable from side to side throughout the extent of the slot, a coil spring within the housing and engaging the housing and writing member for yieldingly maintaining the open end of the writing member in contact with the cam member, said cam member having a central cam surface for positioning the writing member in retracted position, said member also having a cam face on each side of the cam surface, said cam faces being disposed a. greater distance from the pivot than the center cam surfacefor projecting the writing member into a writing position, and a latching formation formed on each cam face for releasable latching engagement with the open end of the writing member, said latching formation on each cam face providing a projecting point at the meeting edge of the cam face with the center cam surface, whereby latching engagement is effected by the point entering the open end of the writing member.

2. A retractable writing instrument as defined by claim 1 wherein said cam member is provided with a protuberance at the end opposite the center cam surface, said protuberance projecting beyond the upper end of the housing whereby to facilitate manual movement of the cam member about its pivot.

3. A retractable writing instrument comprising a tubular housing having a slot formed in its upper end, said slot being disposed transversely of the housing and extending continuously through opposite lateral wall portions of the upper end of the housing, a writing member slidable in the housing longitudinally thereof and having an open upper end and a' writing point at its opposite end, said writing point being adapted to extend from the housing when the writing member is in writing position, a coil spring within the housing and engaging the housing and writing member for urging the writing member inwardly of the housing into a retracted carrying position, a cam member located in said slot and being rotatably supported on a fixed pivot, said fixed pivot extending normal to the slot whereby said cam member is rotatable from side to side throughout the extent of the slot, said cam member having a central cam surface located relatively close to the fixed pivot, said cam member also having a cam face on each side of said central cam surface and which are disposed at a greater distance from the fixed pivot, said coil spring maintaining the open end of the writing member in contact with the cam member whereby the central cam surface will locate the writing member in a retracted carrying position and whereby the cam faces will locate the writing member into a projected writing position, and a detent formed in each cam face relatively adjacent the intersection of the face with the central cam surface to thereby form a projecting point, whereby a projecting point of the cam member may enter the open end of the writing member to thereby releasably latch the writing member in said projected writing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 372,198 Boman Oct. 25, 1887 1,196,662 Chebrou et al Aug. 29, 1916 1,717,057 Meuer June 11, 1929 2,295,577 Hammerly Sept. 15, 1942 2,427,068 Randolph Sept. 9, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 628,272 France June 27, 1927 1,092,768 France Nov. 10, 1954 

